Collapsible Sidewall Extender for Vehicles

Abstract

A collapsible sidewall height extender for use with a vehicle having an open storage bed with opposed sidewalls which includes a first horizontal side member and a second horizontal side member. Each of the first horizontal side member and the second horizontal side member have at least one support member with a first end and a second end. The first end of the at least one support member is pivotally secured to the first horizontal side member and the second end of the at least one support member is adapted to be pivotally secured to a respective side wall of a storage bed of a vehicle, such that the first horizontal side member and the second horizontal side member are movable between an operational position and a storage position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A collapsible sidewall height extender for use with a vehicle having an open storage bed with opposed sidewalls comprising:
 a first horizontal side member;   a second horizontal side member;   each of the first horizontal side member and the second horizontal side member having at least one support member having a first end and a second end;   the first end of the at least one support member is pivotally secured to one of the first horizontal side member and the second horizontal side member; and   the second end of the at least one support member is adapted to be pivotally attached to a respective side wall of a storage bed of a vehicle, such that the first horizontal side member and the second horizontal side member are movable between an operational position and a storage position.   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible sidewall height extender of  claim 1  wherein locking means are provided for locking each of the first horizontal side member and the second horizontal side member in the operational position and the storage position. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible sidewall height extender of  claim 2  wherein the locking means is pin coupling mounted on the at least one support member. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible sidewall height extender of  claim 2  wherein the locking means are collapsible leg brackets positioned toward the first end of each of two support members, and extending diagonally to each of the first horizontal side member and the second horizontal side member. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible sidewall height extender of  claim 1  wherein the at least one support member is substantially vertical in the operational position. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible sidewall height extender of  claim 1  wherein the at least one support member includes a plurality of support members at spaced intervals. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible sidewall height extender of  claim 1  wherein the at least one support member comprises a first telescopic portion and a second telescopic portion, and is non-incrementally, telescopically adjustable in height. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible sidewall height extender of  claim 7  wherein a locking means is provided for locking the at least one support member in a desired telescopic position. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible sidewall height extender of  claim 8  wherein the locking means for locking the at least one support member in a desired telescopic position is a threaded pin extending through the first telescopic portion and impinging on the second telescopic portion. 
     
     
         10 . The collapsible sidewall height extender of  claim 1  wherein each of the first horizontal side member and the second horizontal side member are provided with a removable elongate storage cap to them when in the storage position. 
     
     
         11 . The collapsible sidewall height extender of  claim 1  further including at least one transverse stability member extending between the first horizontal side member and the second horizontal side member. 
     
     
         12 . The collapsible sidewall height extender of  claim 1  further including at least one horizontal stability member disposed below each of the first horizontal side member and the second horizontal side member and being pivotally secured to the at least one support. 
     
     
         13 . The collapsible sidewall height extender of  claim 1  wherein the first horizontal side member and the second horizontal side member are tubular members. 
     
     
         14 . A collapsible sidewall height extender for use with a vehicle having an open storage bed with opposed sidewalls comprising:
 a first horizontal side member and a second horizontal side member;   each of the first horizontal side member and the second horizontal side member having an upper elongate horizontal rail and a lower elongate horizontal rail;   at least one support member having a first end and a second end, the first end being pivotally secured to the upper elongate horizontal rail, and the second end being pivotally secured to the lower elongate horizontal rail such that the upper elongate horizontal rail can move from an operative position spaced from the lower elongate horizontal rail, to a storage position where the upper elongate horizontal rail is adjacent the lower elongate horizontal rail; and   the lower elongate horizontal rail being adapted to be secured a respective sidewall of an open storage bed of a vehicle.   
     
     
         15 . The collapsible sidewall height extender of  claim 14  wherein the at least one support member is in a substantially vertical orientation in the operative position. 
     
     
         16 . The collapsible sidewall height extender of  claim 14  further including at least one transverse stability member extending between the first horizontal side member and the second horizontal side member. 
     
     
         17 . The collapsible sidewall height extender of  claim 14  further including collapsible leg brackets positioned toward the first end of each of two support members, and extending diagonally to each of the first horizontal side member and the second horizontal side member.